Owner of Snap Keep Games in McHenry indicted for criminal sexual abuse against 15-year-old customer: Police

Jason A. Long was charged in July with solicitation to meet a child, solicitation of a sexual act and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, court records show.

Caption

By Ed Komenda – ekomenda@shawmedia.com
Jason A. Long, 30, was arrested on warrant Aug. 31, after the victim's mother tipped off detectives that the owner of Snap Keep Games, 4400 W. Elm St., McHenry, was having an inappropriate relationship with her 15-year-old son, police said.

McHENRY – The owner of a local game shop has been indicted in connection with criminal sexual abuse after he performed a sex act on a 15-year-old customer who often visited his store, according to McHenry County police and court records.

After the victim’s mother tipped off detectives that the owner of Snap Keep Games, 4400 W. Elm St., was having an inappropriate relationship with her 15-year-old son, Jason A. Long, 30, was arrested on Aug. 31, police said.

“The juvenile stopped in the store and they started a conversation,” said McHenry Police Cmdr. Thomas Walsh. “It went on from there.”

On Saturday, Snap Keep Games remained open for business, and Long showed up for work, helping customers and answering their questions.

Reached by telephone at the store Saturday afternoon, Long said he could not comment on the indictment against him and suggested that the Northwest Herald speak with his lawyer, who was not available for comment Saturday. An employee confirmed over the telephone that he was aware Long had been charged with criminal sexual abuse.

Court documents shed more light on the events that led to the arrest of Long, who also was charged with solicitation to meet a child and solicitation of a sexual act.

Long used his cellphone July 15 to ask a 15-year-old boy to meet him at Snap Keep Games without the child’s parents knowing about it, according to court records.

On Aug. 30, Long offered the same boy $100 to engage in a sexual act and knew the victim was under 18, according to court records. On the same day, Long engaged in a sex act with the boy.

The victim’s mother eventually discovered her son’s relationship with Long, police said.

“The victim’s mother called to report it,” Walsh said.

On Aug. 31, police released Long on $50,000 bond. On Sept. 25, a judge granted a protective order against Long.

Since his release, Long’s game shop has remained open to the public.

Records show Long has a history of criminal sexual abuse.

In 2005, he was arrested and charged with criminal sexual abuse in Cook County for performing a sex act on a 14-year-old, according to court records. Long was 19 at the time and found guilty in court. He last registered as a sex offender in Cook County in 2015, online records show.

“I look forward to providing a place for people to enjoy the games and community that I have come to love,” Long wrote in a pitch to the public. “Words alone could never express my gratitude for anyone who even takes the time to consider contributing to making this dream a reality. I hope that everyone reading this will stop by and enjoy what we’re building.”

Setting a GoFundMe goal of $5,000, Long raised $520.

In February 2016, Long opened the store, where he and a small staff sells Pokemon cards, stocks video game consoles – and hosts weekly gatherings where children can play card games and tabletop games, according to the Snap Keep Games website.

If convicted of his most serious offenses, Long faces up to 13 years in prison. His next court date is set for Nov. 6.